Gaming Night Extravaganza!!
Saturday April 22nd is THE date to note for our next fabulous Gaming Night Extravaganza! And the recently extended Peg Leg Landing at Nanny Cay will be THE place to be to enjoy it. Plan to be there for another wonderful evening of Blackjack, Roulette and Crab Racing BVI style. The doors will open at 7 pm for a night where all the fun, the food, the winning and the losing come together to benefit the Animal Shelter. Great prizes are available to be won, with a range that has to be seen to be believed : from wine and champagne to generous certificates from local businesses, to house wares and electronics and much more. Last year the Humane Society actually ran out of prizes at the end of the evening but they intend for that to never happen again. “It is wonderful to see just how many people come out for this great night and great cause!” There is a $20 entry fee but each person also receives $10 dollars worth of chips to begin the night. And then - let the betting begin! Skill levels range from the absolute beginner to the old hand. Dress style ranges from full evening dress to outfits chosen for luck. By the end of the night, however, everyone has shared in the fantastic experience. Don’t miss it this year!

Check It Out - We’re online!
www.bvihumanesociety.org
It’s a start at last so watch where we go from here.

Welcome to the Year of the Dog
Beginning on January 29th 2006
The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Like the Western calendar, The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon. Therefore, because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year it begins on February 29th 2006 and ends on February 17th 2007. A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each. Each cycle represents one of the five Chinese elements of metal, earth, water, fire and wood.
The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and, as a reward, he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."
The cycle begins with the Rat and moves through the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and, finally, the Pig. It is important to note that each animal has strengths and weaknesses and some might surprise Westerners who have a different perception or image.
Dogs are consistent, intelligent, highly moral and respectable. They understand duty and the concept of heroism. Dogs are our crusaders. They are thorough, diligent, faithful, honest, loyal and devoted. Dogs are often nurses, doctors, lawyers, architects but rarely politicians or gangsters. They want a quiet life with a nice family where they will be left undisturbed by the world of gossip, scandal and scum. They are often caught up, however, in rescue missions and important causes. They are basically too nice to be really nasty but they do have bite and can be both critical and very cutting. Their occasional tactless remarks are surprising. Some dogs will show a less than endearing self-righteousness. They can, at times, lack confidence and don’t mind blaming their faults on others. Dogs are, however, rarely down for long because they have tons of charm. They arrived in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, and are best combined with the Horse, The Rabbit and the Tiger.
It is easy, therefore, to see that in Chinese philosophy, where everything in the universe is divided into yin or yang, the Dog is Yin -subjective, active in the world, other-directed and outward.

Help Us Help You.
We are always looking for donations for our monthly Yard Sales. Any kind of items are accepted: clothes, books, appliances, furniture, household items, decorations, games, toys and more. This is a great win / win / win situation as it helps us raise money for the Animal Shelter while you get to clear out all the junk and unwanted items you’ve been meaning to get to and you might even find something you’ve been looking for!
Our Yard Sales are generally on the first Saturday of each month but call the Animal Shelter to confirm the next date.

Looking Ahead!
Humane Society Dog Show
To be held on Sunday June 11th 2006.